According to research by the National Restaurant Association Research and Knowledge Group, the restaurant industry will be drastically different by the year 2030. WIthin a decade, it could be possible for an individual to approach a drive-through in an autonomous vehicle, order through an AI-powered voice ordering assistant, and eat food that was prepared by robots. One of the most startling aspects of this interaction is that there is not a single human involved besides the consumer. These changes will cause massive implications for every aspect of the sector, most importantly for the workers and consumers.
Restaurants and food joints, once reliable venues for human interaction, will be important for the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Some of the changes are already taking place in major companies like McDonald’s, which has implemented technology such as personalized drive-thru menus that change depending on the time of day, weather, current restaurant traffic, and trending items. This is just the beginning, and AI will transform every aspect of the industry. Some of the biggest disruptors will result from the increase in information technology, autonomous vehicles, automation and robotics in the kitchen, and AI chefs.